Internal combustion engine



Aug. 1, 1939. E. GRAY 7 2,167,946

INTERNAL COMBUSTiON ENGINE Original Filed May 15, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Zinnentor Aug. 1, 1939. GRAY INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE E. GRAY INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Aug. 1, 1939.

, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed May 15 Zinnentor ZZ/cam'c/ Gra jacent pairs of cylinder formations. The eccentrics also permit the provision of bearings with power shaft at relatively close intervals, as compared with the possibility for bearings where cranks are employed, and in addition they provide for the drive to reciprocal type scavenging pumps direct from the power shaft. In the present invention, two reciprocal type scavenging pumps are provided and are disposed on diametrically opposite sides of each cylinder and the pistons of the pumps are reciprocated by pitmans which are connected to the eccentric strap member to which one of the piston pitmans' is .connected.

With the above and other'ends in view the invention is more fully disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, in 'which Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of an engine;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section;

Fig, 3 is a vertical fragmental section of a detail, shown on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of v Fig.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental section corresponding with Fig. 2 and illustrating a difl'erent stage in the operation of the engine, and

Figs. 6 and 7' are sections taken respectively on the lines 3-4 and 1-1 of Fig. 1.

Like characters of reference are employed throughout to designate corresponding parts.

The numeral l designates generally the engine structure having cylinder formations 2 therein disposed with their axes vertical'and having water jackets 3 surrounding the same. In co-axial alinement with the upper end of each cylinder formation 2 is a comparatively large cylinder formation 4 with a piston i therein and a valve I for controlling ports I and I to admit steam to the cylinder 4 and to exhaust such steam therefrom; The piston i is connected directly to a piston 9 which operates in the cylinder formation 2 oppositely with respect to a piston ll therein.

Supported in the engine structure by bearings I l, in direct alinement with the end of the cylinder formation 2, is a power shaft l2. Adjacent each cylinder formation the power shaft l2 has an eccentric l3 keyed thereon and having an eccentric strap l4 connected to the piston III by a pitman ii. on opposite sides of each eccentric l3 are eccentrics l3 and I! having straps I. hearing thereon and connected to the upper piston l by pitmans I3. The eccentrics II and I! are diametrically opposite to the eccentric l3 thereadjacent and with such an arrangement the opposed strokes of the pistons 3 and II are in perfectly timed relation.

Adjacent the upper end of each cylinder formation 2 are provided exhaust ports 2| communicating with an exhaust manifold 2i which surrounds the several steam cylinderformations 4. Adjacent the lower end of each cylinder formation 2 are intake ports 22 adapted to communicate with an intake manifold 23. Surrounding the ports ,22 and disposed within the intake manifold 23 is an annular valve seat 24-and an annular valve member 2! rests thereon. As will hereinafter become apparent the valve 2! moves verticaliy'from its seat 24 under certain conditions of operation and limiting stops 23 are provided thereabove to restrict such movement. The intake ports 22 are disposed nearer to the center of the cylinder formation 2 than the exhaust ports .23 so that upon movement of the pistons 3 and spect to the center of the cylinder formation 2, the intake ports 22 will be uncovered prior to uncovering of the exhaust ports- 20, and during movement toward each other ports 22 will remain uncovered until after the exhaust ports 20 are covered.

Supported beneath the intake manifold 23 on diametrically opposite sides of the cylinder formation 2 are pump chambers 21 having pistons 23 reciprocal therein and connected by links 29 to the eccentric strap l4. Extending across the top .of eachpump chamber 21 is a valve plate 3| having a series of slots 39 therein. Flexible valve members 30 are supported above said slots and are adapted to be flexed away from the plate to permit passage of air through the slots from the pump chambers 21 .to the manifold 23. In the event that pressure in the manifold 23 is greater than the pressure in the pump chambers 21 such presthe event that air pressure in the pump chambers exceeds that in the chamber 34 such pressure maintains the valves 33 in a position closing the slots 32.

In the operation of the present engine the pump pistons 23 charge the intake manifold 23 with air under pressure, and, assuming that combustion has taken place between the pistons 3 and I 0 and forced them to the position shown in Fig. 5 where the intake ports 22 are partially uncovered by the piston it while the piston 9 is in a position covering the exhaust ports 20, the pressure in the combustion chamber would exceed that in the intake manifold and the normal tendency would be for the exhaust gases to intermingle with the air in the intake manifold. However, at this stage of the operation of the engine. the pressure of the burned gases acts upon the annular valve 25 and holds it upon its annular seat 24 until the piston 3 has uncovered the exhaust ports 20 to permit such pressure in the combustion chamber to'be dissipated. When the pressure in the intake manifold. exceeds that in the combustion chamber, air from the intake manifold drives the burned gases from the combustion chamber through the exhaust ports. As the pistons again move toward each other from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 5, the exhaust ports 20 will be covered while the intake ports 22 are partially uncovered and compressed air from the manifold 23 will continue to enter-the combustion chamber with the result that it is charged with compressed air prior to closing of the intake ports 22.

Although a specific embodiment of the inventionhas been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention and such changes are contemplated.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, a cylinder, a pair of opposed pistons in said cylinder, a power shaft, means connecting said pistons with said power shaft for converting rectilinear movement of said pistons into rotary movement of said power shaft, said cylinder having intake and exhaust ports in the .wall thereof adapted to be covered and uncovered by respective pistons, the intake ports being dissaid cylinder, a plurality of eccentrics on said power shafts, one of said eccentrics being disposedin direct alinement with said cylinder and the pistons therein, and a pitman connectin said eccentric to the adjacent piston. two of said eccentrics being disposed with one on each side' of the first eccentric and pitmans extending externally of the cylinder and connected to the other piston, said two eccentrics being diametrically opposite to the first eccentric whereby. the movements of the opposed pistons are equal and opposite, said cylinder having intake and exhaust ports in opposite ends thereof adapted to be covered and uncovered by respective pistons, a

fold, an auxiliary cylinder coaxial with said first named cylinder, a piston reciprocal in said auxiliary cylinder and connected to a piston in thefirst named cylinder, and stearn intake and exhaust controlling means for said auxiliary cylinder.

EDWARD GRAY. 

